A Paraguayan broadcaster had his media credential revoked by FIFA after he made a full-throated condemnation of a referee and the sport’s governing body during a recent World Cup match between Paraguay and Turkey.
Jorge Chipi Vera of ABC Cardinal and ABC TV in the South American nation went on an expletive-laden tirade following Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón receiving a red card during Paraguay’s 1-0 win over Turkey after he covered his mouth during an on-field confrontation, which is a violation of new FIFA rules for the World Cup.
The new edict is an effort to combat racial abuse during matches.
But Vera was livid when Salvadorian referee Iván Barton red-carded Almirón for covering his mouth during an exchange with Turkey’s Mert Muldur.
Vera began his rant by calling the ref a “thief” before turning his sights on FIFA.
“They killed football,” he said, according to a translation by Awful Announcing. “FIFA, you killed football. [FIFA president Gianni] Infantino, you’re responsible for this. FIFA, take responsibility for turning football into this. A disgrace. You should be ashamed, Infantino.”
Then, Vera turned his sights on CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez, telling him to take fewer photos with FIFA’s president. Vera said he needed to “grow a pair.”
“You f–king thieves. Is this what we have to come and see at a World Cup?” Vera ranted. “What sons of bitches! This is inexplicable, this is a disgrace. They’re killing football and leaving us with one less player.”
Once FIFA got wind of Vera’s comments, they took swift action, pulling his media credential for the rest of the tournament, which in turn will keep him from calling another World Cup match in 2026.
The television broadcaster did make an apology on social media Monday for what he called an “outburst.”
“In the midst of my frustration over the expulsion of a player from my country, and feeling that my national team was being harmed, I used offensive and unacceptable expressions against the referee, FIFA, and its authorities,” he said.
Vera also said he will now not be able to take part in World Coverage inside or outside the stadiums, and that he has sent a letter to apologize to FIFA.
“Questioning a rule or disagreeing with a refereeing decision never justifies losing control the way I did,” he said. “I failed you in something fundamental: maintaining the composure and respect that this profession requires.”
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While FIFA has not publicly commented, Reuters reported that soccer’s governing body viewed Vera’s language as unacceptable and his actions inconsistent with the standards of professionalism that are expected of a broadcaster accredited to cover the World Cup.
The issue from FIFA’s point of view, according to the report, was the use of a highly offensive Spanish phrase toward FIFA officials.